Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano took an epidural shot at Northwestern Hospital to relieve the back pain that landed him on the disabled list. But Cubs manager Lou Piniella said the team doesn't think the condition is that serious and that an MRI showed no serious damage.
This is at least the third time Zambrano has had the epidural to treat the pain and tension his back, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine.
"When we get home, we'll see how well the shots work, and then we can plan some activities to get him back pitching," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before the Cubs faced the Colorado Rockies on Monday. His interview was aired on Comcast SportsNet. "It doesn't seem that serious to us."
The Cubs and Zambrano are hoping for his return off the DL on Aug. 23, Levine reports.
Meanwhile, third baseman Aramis Ramirez will have his sore left shoulder examined by a doctor when the team returns from its road trip on Tuesday. Ramirez dislocated the shoulder earlier in the season and spent nearly two months on the DL before being activated July 6. He didn't play on Sunday and is not playing on Monday.
Piniella, who was ejected from Sunday's game for arguing a call at second base, joked about his team's injury problems.
"We talked about getting healthy, and it just doesn't seem like it's possible," Piniella said. "Hell, I almost pulled a hamstring going to second base [on Sunday].
"It's the darndest thing."